Cyprus is an island south of Turkey, set in the Mediterranean Sea – it’s the third largest island in the Mediterranean, behind Sicily and Sardinia. Since gaining its independence from the United Kingdom in 1960, it has been known for a couple decades of unrest, ultimately splitting the island in two. However, the UN (United Nations) refuses to recognize the northern part of the island as the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,’ instead referring to Cyprus only as the Republic of Cyprus. The unrest has mostly subsided for some time now. It’s become quite the traveler and vacationer haven nowadays, known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant blue waters, colorful culture, and interesting history.

I decided last month that it was time to come back home to visit everyone for the holidays, since I’ve been traveling abroad for the last seven to eight months. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fantastic to see my friends and family – because over a half of a year alone can have its toll on you… But I desperately despise my horrible timing – winter in Ohio is typically not a lot of fun. It’s cold, dreary, dull, and has absolutely random weather tantrums. So, the worst part for me being in Ohio for the winter is… The winter, itself. Bring on Christmas and warm tithing and all that jazz, but I’m still reminded at how much this winter will suck, with each day that it goes from 60-70 degrees down to under 30 within only a few hours.

Holidays are something we all enjoy and look forward to throughout the year. But if you’re bored of staying in expensive resorts or hunting for new and interesting places to stay, then why not consider planning a road trip instead?

A country of extremes, Australia is home to some of the world’s most famous attractions. Whether you’re an adventurous traveller looking for adrenaline thrills, a culture hunter in need of some interesting sites, or you’re happy just to find a spot in the sun on a pristine beach, this country has everything to offer.

Winter is a time when agents offering last minute holidays do a roaring trade with sun seekers lamenting the loss of the warmer months and daylight hours. Thankfully there are a few destinations that are perfect for injecting some much-needed color into your cheeks as well as your surroundings.